Our project, 'Strengthening Epidemiologic Surveillance and Response against Meningitis in Niger,' is the first project to be selected and sponsored by the "Global Poverty Eradication Contribution" (Air-ticket Solidarity Fund). This fund has been established in the effort to further expand Korea's participation in foreign aid, and as of September 30th 2010, 1,000KRW is being collected from each international flight passenger departing Korea. Under the cooperation with the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is supported by this fund to run the entire project, and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) (headquarted in Seoul), as the project management consultant is providing technical support for the project management.

Cooperation with the Korean Embassy in Cote d'Ivoire has enabled the Korean government to form a close collaborative relationship with the Nigerien Ministry of Health, and support the actions of the Departments of Regional Public Health of Tillaberi and Maradi in performing meningitis vaccination campaigns targeting younger aged groups. Moreover, surveillance of disease, further improvement of diagnostic measures as well as transport and storage of vaccines, expansion of the waste management system are all areas of focus, and training workshops are also under progress for the public health professionals of each area.

The main objective of this project is to introduce the novel conjugate vaccine via major vaccination campaigns to 6 million Nigerien people in regions of Tillaberi and Maradi, especially targeting infants, children and young adults